Top Medical Colleges in India: India boasts approximately 703 prominent Medical colleges. Among them, 30 colleges are under public/government ownership, while 16 are privately owned. As per the NIRF ranking for the year 2024, AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) and PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) secured the top positions among the best Medical colleges in India. NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) stands as the widely accepted entrance examination for admission to esteemed Medical colleges across the country.
Below is the updated ranking for some of the Top Medical Colleges in India:
- According to the NIRF ranking 2023, AIIMS Delhi maintains its top position. Notably, JIPMER Puducherry made progress in its ranking, moving up to rank 5 in 2023 from rank 6 in 2022.
Top Medical Colleges in India Highlights 2024
NEET UG scores are accepted for undergraduate medical courses, including MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BUMS, and BSc (Hons.) Nursing. For other specializations like Pharmacy, various entrance exams such as AP NEET, SAAT, etc., are recognized. Delhi/NCR, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh host a significant number of Top Medical Colleges in India. The duration of undergraduate Medical Courses typically spans four to five years, while postgraduate medical courses usually last for three years.
Below are some highlights of the top Medical colleges in India:
| Parameters | Particulars/Statistics |
| No. of Top MBBS colleges in India | 703 medical colleges, including 15 AIIMS and 2 JIPMER campuses |
| Annual Fees | INR < 1 lakh: 18 Colleges
INR 1-2 lakh: 8 Colleges INR 2-3 lakh: 2 Colleges INR 3-5 lakh: 4 Colleges INR > 5 lakh: 13 Colleges |
| Top Specialisations | Cardiology, Cardiovascular Technology, Echo Cardiology and Cardiac Technology, Emergency Medicine, Operation Theatre Technology |
| Accepted Entrance Exams | NEET, NEET PG, NEET MDS, and SAAT |
Top Medical Colleges in India: Eligibility Criteria
The fundamental eligibility criteria for admission to the top Medical colleges in India are as follows:
- Candidates must have completed Class 12 in the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) in order to get admission to the top medical colleges in India.
- They need to achieve a minimum aggregate of 50 percent or an equivalent CGPA (45 percent for candidates from reserved categories) to secure a place in the top Medical Colleges in India.
- Applicants should be at least 17 years old as of December 31 of the admission year.
Candidates should hold Indian citizenship or be Overseas Citizens of India (OC) or Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to secure a place in the best medical college in India.
Popular Exams Accepted by Top Medical Colleges in India
The top two most popular entrance exams for the top Medical Colleges in India are:
- NEET PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Post-Graduation): NEET PG is conducted to offer admission to various MD (Doctor of Medicine)/ MS (Master of Surgery) and PG Diploma courses nationwide. It is essential for candidates to include NEET PG mock tests in their preparation strategy to achieve a good score for the top Medical Colleges in India. Preparing for NEET PG 2024 involves careful planning and strategic approaches, as it is known to be one of the toughest exams.
- NEET UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test): NEET UG is the exclusive entrance test for admission to MBBS and BDS courses in India. The NEET 2024 syllabus covers three subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, which are similar to the CBSE Class 11 and Class 12 syllabus. The NEET 2024 exam pattern remains unchanged from the previous year. Candidates can find preparation tips by clicking here. NEET UG 2024 is scheduled for May ’24 and is conducted in 13 languages.
Top Medical Colleges in India with NIRF Ranking 2024
Annually, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) assesses institutes across various fields, including Medicine, using multiple parameters like Teaching, Learning & Resources (TLR), Research and Professional Practice (RP), Graduation Outcomes (GO), Outreach and Inclusivity (OI), and Peer Perception. The top Medical Colleges in India are ranked each year according to these criteria.
Here are the top medical colleges in India based on the NIRF ranking:
| Top Medical Colleges | NIRF 2021 | NIRF 2022 | NIRF 2023 |
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, (PGIMER) Chandigarh | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Christian Medical College, (CMC) Vellore | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, (NIMHANS) Bangalore | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, (JIPMER) Puducherry | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, (Amrita University) Coimbatore | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, (SGPGIMS) Lucknow | 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Institute of Medical Sciences, (IMS-BHU), Varanasi | 7 | 5 | 8 |
| Kasturba Medical College, (KMC) Manipal | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram | 11 | 9 | 10 |
Private and Public/Government Top Medical Colleges in India
NIRF ranks the top Medical Colleges in India, with 30 of them being public/government-owned and 16 privately owned. Below are the separate lists of the top 10 private and public best medical colleges in India.
Private Best Medical Colleges in India
Among the top 10 MBBS colleges in India, here are a few listed with their total tuition fee/seat intake and entrance exams/eligibility criteria:
| College Name | Total Tuition Fee/Seat Intake | Entrance Exam/Eligibility |
| CMC, Vellore | INR 13,500
Seats: 100 |
Entrance Exam: NEET
Candidate must have passed Class 12 from TN State board or equivalent examination with minimum 50% marks |
| KMC, Manipal | INR 10.38 lakh
Seats: 250 |
Entrance Exam: NEET
Candidate must have Class 12 with subjects of Chemistry, Physics, English and Biology individually in Class 12 + 50% marks in PCB |
| St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences | INR 30 lakh
Seats: 150 |
Entrance Exam: NEET
Based on the merit of Class 12 + NEET score |
Public/Government Top Medical Colleges in India
Below is the list of Top Medical Colleges in India, along with their total tuition fee:
| College Name | Total Tuition Fee/Seat Intake | Entrance Exam/Eligibility |
| AIIMS Delhi | INR 6,075
Seats: 132 |
Entrance Exam: NEET |
| IMS-BHU | INR 1.49 lakh
Seats: 100 |
Entrance Exam: NEET |
| JIPMER Puducherry | INR 7,326
Seats: 262 |
Entrance Exam: NEET
Class 12 with 50 % aggregate |
| KGMU, Lucknow | INR 2.46 lakh
Seats: 250 |
Entrance Exam: NEET |
Top Medical Colleges in India: Admission Dates 2024
The dates and schedule for the entrance tests for the top Medical Colleges in India are listed in the table below:
| Exam Name | Exam Date | Exam Schedule |
| NEET PG | July 7, 2024 | NEET PG Schedule |
Top Medical Colleges in India: Ownership
For a thorough breakdown of the ownership type of the top medical colleges in India, please see the table below:
| Ownership Type | Number of Colleges |
| Public/Government | 30 |
| Private | 16 |
State-wise Top Medical Colleges in India
In India, Delhi/NCR has the most colleges, followed by Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. The top Medical Colleges in India with the highest-ranked medical colleges are included in the following table:
| States | Number of Colleges |
| Tamil Nadu | 7 |
| Karnataka | 6 |
| Maharashtra | 2 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 4 |
| Orissa | 2 |
ROI of Top Medical Colleges in India
Return on Investment, or ROI, is a metric or statistic used to assess an investment’s profitability. Calculating the cost of college and the average wage allows one to calculate the return on investment (ROI) for schooling. The list of top medical colleges in India is provided below, along with information on tuition costs and average yearly salaries provided by employers who took part in the placement process, including Apollo Hospital, Max Super Specialty Hospital, and Hospitals. In summary, universities that offer higher salaries than their tuition have a better return on investment than those that do not.
| College Name | Total Tuition Fee (in INR) | Annual Average Package |
| CMC Vellore | INR 13,500 | INR 1.80 LPA |
| IMS-BHU | INR 1.34 lakh | INR 11 LPA |
| JIPMER Puducherry | INR 7,326 | INR 12 LPA |
| KGMU | INR 2.46 lakh | INR 1 LPA |
| Madras Medical College, Chennai | INR 68,018 | INR 7.20 LPA |
| Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | INR 1.13 crore | INR 9.01 LPA |
| St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences | INR 30 lakh | INR 3.60 LPA |
| VMMC, Delhi | INR 1.62 lakh | INR 96,000 PA |
Note: Above statistics are based on the latest available data for the best Medical Colleges in India.
Top Recruiters for Medical Graduates for Best Medical Colleges in India
Government and private hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, health centers, research labs, medical colleges as faculty members, and NGOs are just (just in case definition) a few of the organizations that recruit for medical institutions. Doctors and other medical professionals are also hired by the Defense Services, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as by district hospitals and other healthcare facilities as health officers. The typical annual income for a general physician might range from INR 4-5 lakh, according to Payscale.com. The actual pay or earnings, however, may differ depending on the field of practice of the medical experts, and this figure is only illustrative.
| College Name | Placement Ratings | Top Recruiters |
| AIIMS Delhi | 4.5 | Apollo Hospitals, Medanta, PGIMER, Fortis Hospitals, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Max Healthcare |
| PGIMER Chandigarh | 4.0 | Max Healthcare, Apollo Hospital, Manipal Hospital, AIIMS, Medanta Hospital, Fortis Hospital |
How affordable is studying in top Medical Colleges in India?
The majority of universities in India have a total tuition charge of less than INR 1 lakh, making it inexpensive to pursue medical studies there. The number of top medical colleges in India, together with their total tuition costs, are listed below:
| Fee Range | Number of Colleges |
| < INR 1 lakh | 18 |
| INR 1-2 lakh | 8 |
| INR 2-3 lakh | 2 |
| INR 3-5 lakh | 4 |
| INR > 5 lakh | 13 |
Top Medical Specialisations Offered in India
Diverse specializations in anesthesia technology, perfusion technology, public health, Unani, etc. are offered by medical institutes in India.
| Specializations | Number of Colleges |
| Cardiology | 1 |
| Cardiovascular Technology | 1 |
| Echo Cardiology & Cardiac Technology | 1 |
| Emergency Medicine | 1 |
| Operation Theatre Technology | 1 |
Which are the most popular Medical Exams in India?
The most popular entrance examination for securing admission to Medical courses in India is NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test). Achieving good marks in NEET opens opportunities to get admitted to prestigious Medical colleges such as AIIMS Delhi, Christian Medical College in Vellore, and Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi.
Other colleges accept various entrance exams like NEET PG, AP NEET, SAAT, and others for admission into their institutions.
Please refer to the table below for a detailed overview:
| Exams | Number of Colleges |
| NEET | 32 |
| NEET PG | 2 |
| AP NEET | 1 |
| INI CET | 1 |
| MET | 1 |
Top Medical Colleges in India: Cut-Off
Click the following link to view the cut-offs for the top medical colleges in India:
| Cut Off | |
| AIIMS Delhi Cut Off | JIPMER Puducherry Cut Off |
| PGIMER Chandigarh Cut Off | CMC Vellore Cut Off |
| BHU Cut Off | KMC Cut Off |
Top Medical Colleges in India: Comparison
Click the following link to view a comparison of the top medical schools in India:
| Compare | |
| AIIMS Delhi | Vardhman Mahavir Medical College |
| PGIMER Chandigarh | CMC Vellore |
Frequently Asked Questions: Top Medical Colleges in India
Q1. How can a medical graduate secure a job in a Government hospital in India?
Ans. To practice medicine in India, every medical graduate must appear for the screening test conducted by the Medical Council of India (MCI). After passing the screening test, the graduate must register with the respective state medical council. Once registered, they become eligible for appointment in a government hospital.
Q2. What is the MCI Screening Test?
Ans. The MCI Screening Test is conducted by the Medical Council of India for students who pursued their medical education outside India. Upon returning to India, they need to appear for this test, which consists of three exams featuring multiple-choice questions in subjects like clinical medicine and pre-clinical medicine. A “Pass” result requires scoring more than 50% marks in each exam. After passing the screening test, students must register with the respective state or central medical councils to practice as doctors in India.
Q3. Will the degree be recognized overseas?
Ans. Yes, if the degree is recognized by the MCI in India, it may be recognized overseas as well. However, each country has its process for recognizing foreign medical degrees, and candidates must follow that process.
Q4. How many times can I appear for NEET?
Ans. There is no limit on the number of attempts a candidate can make for NEET. Candidates can appear for the exam as many times as they wish.
Q5. Is a candidate who has completed studies from an open school eligible to apply for NEET 2020?
Ans. No, candidates who have passed Class 12 from an open school or as private candidates are not eligible to appear for NEET entrance test.
Q6. Is qualifying for NEET important for overseas studies?
Ans. Yes, qualifying for NEET is essential for candidates who wish to pursue overseas studies in medicine. Many universities abroad also require NEET scores for admission.
Q7. Which documents should I carry along with the NEET admit card when appearing for the best medical colleges in India?
Ans. Candidates need to carry the following documents at the NEET exam center 2020:
Q8. Admit card with a passport-size photograph affixed to it.
Ans. One passport-size photograph is to be pasted on the attendance sheet. Any one of the authorized (original, valid, and non-expired) photo IDs such as PAN card, Driving License, Voter ID, or Passport.
Q9. What are the various languages available for NEET?
Ans. NEET 2020 is available in 9 different languages other than English and Hindi. Candidates can choose their preferred language from options like Oriya, Bengali, etc., in the application form.
Q10. Which country offers the most affordable medical education courses other than India?
Ans. Some countries offering affordable medical education courses, apart from India, include:
- China
- Philippines
- Nepal
- Ukraine
- Kyrgyzstan
- Russia
- Poland
- Bangladesh99
Q.11 Can one find a good job after completing MBBS?
Ans. After completing MBBS, most medical students pursue higher education courses like MD and MS for better career opportunities. However, several job opportunities are also available for students after completing MBBS.
